2 UN officials say they're sickened over hatred by public officials and others against Muslims

UNITED NATIONS – Two senior U.N. officials say they're "sickened by blatant manifestations of hatred and intolerance," particularly against Muslims, expressed by public figures and others in response to recent extremist attacks.

Adama Dieng, the special adviser on prevention of genocide, and Jennifer Welsh, the special adviser on the responsibility to protect civilians, say that any "advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" is prohibited by international human rights law and laws in many countries.

In a statement Monday, they denounced "the deliberate and dangerous spread of misinformation and the manipulation of people's fears and concerns for political gain."

Dieng and Welsh said calls by some U.S. political figures to bar Muslims from entering the United States are "unacceptable" and "an affront" to humanity.

Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox